Diagnostic probes to detect cells and tissues afflicted with a pathological or metabolic condition by means of infrared spectroscopy

The present invention encompasses compounds of general formula (I): Formula (I) or their pharmaceutically acceptable stereoisomers, tautomers, hydrates, solvates or salts, wherein: Y is selected from natural or synthetic carbohydrates and their derivatives, natural or synthetic aminoacids and their derivatives, or a combination thereof; X is selected from: linear C1-C20 alkyls or branched C3-C20 alkyls; such linear C1-C20 alkyls or branched C3-C20 alkyls possibly containing, or being substituted with, one or more groups selected from: carbocycles, heterocycles, aryls, heteroaryls, alkenes, alkynes, amines, amides, ethers, esters, ketones, thioethers, sulfides, sulfones, sulfoxides, or a combination thereof; Z is selected from linear C1-C6 alkyls, branched C3-C6 alkyls, carbocycles, heterocycles, aryls, heteroaryls, alkenes, alkynes, or a combination thereof. The present invention is also related to a pharmaceutical composition, preferably formulated as an aqueous solution, comprising said compound of general formula (I) or its pharmaceutically acceptable stereoisomers, tautomers, hydrates, solvates or salts and excipients and/or diluents pharmaceutically acceptable. Another embodiment of the invention is said compound of general formula (I) or its pharmaceutically acceptable stereoisomers, tautomers, hydrates, solvates or salts or a pharmaceutical composition as described above, for their use in the diagnosis of a pathological or metabolic condition by means of infrared (IR) spectroscopy. The present invention also relates to a compound of general formula (II) or its pharmaceutically acceptable stereoisomers, tautomers, hydrates, solvates or salts or a pharmaceutical composition as described above, for their use in the diagnosis of a pathological or metabolic condition by means of infrared (IR) spectroscopy. Said pharmaceutical composition is a pharmaceutical composition comprising said compound of general formula (II) or its pharmaceutically acceptable stereoisomers, tautomers, hydrates, solvates or salts and one or more pharmaceutically acceptable excipients, diluents and/or supports. Preferably, said pharmaceutical composition is formulated as an aqueous solution. Said compound of general formula (II) is a compound having the following formula: Formula (II) or its pharmaceutically acceptable stereoisomers, tautomers, hydrates, solvates or salts, wherein: Y is selected from: glucose and its derivatives, preferably alpha- and beta-O-glycosides comprising D-glucose units; fructose and its derivatives, preferably fructopyranose portions; 2,5-anhydro-D-mannitol and its derivatives; arginine-glycine-aspartate (RGD) tripeptides, glycine, alanine, norvaline, or a combination thereof; X is selected from: linear C1-C20 alkyls or branched C3-C20 alkyls; such linear C1-C20 alkyls or branched C3-C20 alkyls possibly containing, or being substituted with, one or more groups selected from: carbocycles, heterocycles, aryls, heteroaryls, alkenes, alkynes, amines, amides, ethers, esters, ketones, thioethers, sulfides, sulfones, sulfoxides, or a combination thereof. Preferably, said pathological or metabolic condition is selected in the group comprising: a tumor, an infection, preferably a bacterial or viral infection, an inflammation, a metabolic affliction, preferably a metabolic syndrome, an autoimmune pathology, and a combination thereof. The present invention is also related to a method for the detection, by means of infrared (IR) spectroscopy, of cells and/or tissues affected by a pathological or metabolic condition in isolated biological samples, where said pathological condition preferably is a tumor, and said cells and/or tissues preferably are cancer cells and/or tissues. Preferably, said detection comprises the detection of alterations of protein components in said cells and/or tissues.